Crew Unveils Remaining 2013 Preseason Schedule Details

COLUMBUS — The Columbus Crew announced its full 2013 preseason schedule on Thursday. The Black & Gold will spend the majority of their preseason in Florida, training at the IMG Academy in Bradenton before heading to Orlando to take part in the Walt Disney Pro Soccer Classic.

Players report to Columbus on January 17 for the club’s initial preseason training sessions. The Crew opens camp at its Obetz training facility and SuperKick – an indoor soccer training facility located in Lewis Center – while in Columbus January 17-23.

On January 24, the team heads to Bradenton, Fla. to train at the IMG Academy for 10 days before returning to Columbus on February 2. During this first phase of preseason, the Black & Gold has three exhibition matches scheduled against Eastern Conference rivals D.C. United, the Chicago Fire and New York Red Bulls.

The Crew returns to Florida on February 6 to take part in the Disney Pro Soccer Classic, where it will compete against seven other professional teams to prepare for the 2013 MLS Season. Taking place February 9-23 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., the Crew will make Austin Tindall Regional Park in Osceola County its preseason training home during the club’s stay in central Florida. Fellow MLS sides D.C. United, Philadelphia Union, Sporting Kansas City, Montreal Impact and Toronto FC, as well as Orlando City FC (USL Pro) and Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) have all committed to participate in the tournament.

Following the Disney Pro Soccer Classic, the Black & Gold return to Columbus to prepare for their season opener on March 2 against Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.